After a two-year hiatus, the Arena Football League's New Orleans Voodoo is returning to the Crescent City, albeit under new ownership and management.

Under the plan, the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings, who played one season in the AFL, are expected to move their operations to New Orleans and re-brand them as the Voodoo, a team official said.

A formal announcement is expected today.

Jason Coffel, who will serve as the vice president of operations for the VooDoo, said owner Dan Newman will cease operations of the Battle Wings in the Shreveport-Bossier City area at 1 p.m. and immediately become the New Orleans VooDoo.

Coffel said the new VooDoo will take over all of the logos and history of the former franchise, which was one of the AFL's most successful under Saints owner Tom Benson before he ceased operations of the club in 2008.

"This year the AFL contacted Dan Newman, the owner of the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings, and asked him to entertain the idea of shutting down the Battle Wings and reviving the New Orleans VooDoo," Coffel said. "After giving that a lot of thought and prayer, Dan decided to do that."

In moving to New Orleans and taking over the VooDoo franchise, Coffel and the AFL officials are banking that they can recapture the local indoor football fan base and perhaps capitalize on the success of the Super Bowl-winning Saints.

The 2011 VooDoo season is scheduled to kick off in March.

"We will be bringing back a lot of the favorite VooDoo players," Coffel said. "We actually already have a lot of interest from former VooDoo players who want to come back and play for the VooDoo in 2011."

I always enjoyed going to these games, they were fun, kids loooovvvveedd it which is what this is all about, the players are interactive and cool, this team especially was one of the best around, i watched before and after games how they'd go directly into the crowds and take pictures, sign autographs toss footballs, and talk with the kids..

Voodoo had one of the strongest attendances in the AFL so it's no reason AFL contacted someone to restore the team base.

Rugby Saint II

09-15-2010 05:17 PM

I was back in New Orleans for a Rugby tournament and stopped in a small locally owned restaurant for a poboy. My girlfriend had never had one before and learned real quick just how messy they are.(she's from Georgia) That's where I watched my first Voodoo game. I've been a fan every since.